Key Cybersecurity Challenges Facing the Construction Industry

Every industry is undergoing a digital revolution. There are no longer any sectors that are immune to this movement's quick acceptance

Fremont, CA: Every industry is undergoing a digital revolution. There are no longer any sectors that are immune to this movement's quick acceptance. When one thinks of the construction sector, they may imagine images of ironworkers perched above a metropolis, having a lunch break on a construction beam. On the other hand, rapid digitization has revolutionized the construction sector and will continue to drive change and foster innovation. Traditional business practices introduce new dangers and issues that the industry must address.

While it is hard to cover every potential scenario, one can look at the most prevalent cybersecurity dangers that a construction firm should know.

• Reputation Loss

The fact that all of a company's customers' confidential information ends up in the hands of the attackers isn't even the worst part when there's a data breach. It's data that was in the victimized company's care and control. When a breach happens, the harmed clients' (and potential clients') perspective is not one of pity. Instead, the point of view is that sensitive information is not secure with oneself. It can irreparably harm a company's reputation, sending consumers to a rival.

• Downtime

Unplanned business downtime is another detrimental feature of a data breach. Business disruptions are a substantial risk for a construction company. Downtime is one of the most severe operational concerns in the construction industry, particularly for organizations that rely on digital assets to manage an efficient construction site. Long-term project delays can bankrupt a corporation due to missed income. Inclement weather or worker safety breaches can cause construction projects to get suspended. The cybersecurity issue for construction organizations with digital transformation is limiting downtime in the event of a cyberattack. Digital infrastructure is now necessary for logistical coordination. A cybersecurity assault has the potential to bring a construction company's whole digital infrastructure down for hours, if not days.

• Loss of Intellectual Property and Assets

Construction firms have intellectual property and digital assets that must get safeguarded immediately. Intellectual property is important to a cyber attacker just as much as it is to its creator. If such intellectual property is stolen and exposed before legal rights are secured, the firm may suffer considerable damages. If the intellectual property or other asset were licensed for the firm's use but not controlled by the company, a loss due to a cyberattack would have similarly severe legal ramifications.